Delhi court clears AAP leader Satyendar Jain in corruption case after CBI closure report

In a significant legal reprieve for Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Satyendar Jain, a Delhi court has dismissed a long-standing corruption case against him, citing a lack of evidence.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), after a four-year inquiry, submitted a closure report which was accepted by Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh at Rouse Avenue Courts.

The case, titled "CBI v. Satyendar Jain & Others," was registered in May 2019 following a complaint from the vigilance department. It alleged that Jain, during his tenure as Delhi’s Public Works Department (PWD) minister, improperly outsourced the hiring of 17 consultants, bypassing regular government procedures.

However, the CBI investigation found that the recruitment process was transparent, competitive, and driven by urgent departmental requirements. The agency concluded there was no indication of corruption, criminal conspiracy, or personal benefit involved.

In his ruling, Judge Singh stated, "No material exists to suggest any criminal intent or conspiracy. The law requires more than mere suspicion to justify charges, and such proof is completely absent here." He officially closed the case, although he noted that the CBI retains the option to reopen the matter should new evidence emerge.

The CBI's report supported this decision, stating, "The recruitment was conducted openly to meet urgent departmental needs, with no signs of favoritism or illegal gains."